FACTS  AND  ESTIMATES 


RELATIVE  TO  THE 


BUSINESS  ON  THE  ROUTE 


OP  THE  CONTEMPLATED 


PROVIDENCE  AND  WORCESTER 


RAIL  ROAD. 


K 


PROVIDENCE: 
KNOWLES  & VOSE,  PRINTERS. 

1 845. 


The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Directors  of  the  Providence  and 
Worcester  Rail  Road  Company,  to  open  books  of  subscription  to  the 
stock  of  said  Company,  preparatory  to  opening  said  books,  submit  to 
the  consideration  of  their  fellow  citizens,  the  following  REPORT  of 
their  Sub-Committee  appointed  to  collect  information  in  relation  to 
the  business  and  travel  on  the  route  of  said  Road,  and  the  accompa- 
nying documents. 


ALEX.  DUNCAN, 
WILLIAM  JACKSON, 
A.  O.  PECK, 

JOHN  W.  LINCOLN, 
JAMES  Y.  SMITH, 
WILLIAM  FOSTER, 


MOSES  B.  IVES, 

PAUL  WHITING, 
EDWARD  H.  SPRAGUE, 
CHRIST’R.  S.  RHODES, 
GEORGE  C.  BALLOU, 
ISAAC  THURBER, 


HARVEY  CHACE. 


October  7th,  1844. 


~bV 5A 


C> 


REPORT 


Of  a Committee  appointed  to  collect  informa- 
tion in  relation  to  the  business  and  travel  on 
the  line  of  the  contemplated  Rail  Road  be- 
tween Providence  and  Worcester . 

The  surveys  of  routes  for  a Rail  Road  between  Provi- 
dence and  Worcester,  by  T.  Willis  Pratt,  Esq.,  Engi- 
neer, a copy  of  which  is  annexed,  shows  that  such  a road 
is  entirely  practicable  at  a cost,  by  one  route,  of  $1,000,- 
000,  by  another,  $900,000;  and  the  following  state- 
ments are  presented,  to  exhibit  the  inducements  it  offers 
for  capitalists  to  subscribe  the  means  necessary  for  its 
construction. 

The  population  of  the  towns  through  which  it  will 
pass,  including  Providence  and  Worcester,  was,  accord- 
ing to  the  census  of  1840,  as  follows  ; 


Providence, 

North  Providence, 


23.171 
4,207 
9,554 
5,225 
3,524 
2,004 
1,449 
2,370 
2,943 

2.171 
7,497 


Smithfield, 


& 

rJ 


Uxbridge, 

Northbridge, 


Cumberland, 

Mendon, 


Making  an  aggregate  of 


Sutton, 

Grafton, 

Millbury, 

Worcester, 


64,115 


4 


To  which  should  be  added  that  of  Pawtucket,  2, 1 84 


Milford,  1,773 

Douglas,  1,617 

Upton,  1,466 


Making  in  all,  71,155 


At  this  time  probably  82,000. 

The  business  of  Providence  embraces  all  departments 
of  trade  and  manufactures,  and  extends  through  the 
whole  country.  The  city  is  easily  approached  from  the 
ocean,  has  a large  commercial  interest  reaching  every 
ocean  and  land,  and  being  nearer  to  Worcester  than  any 
port  south  of  Boston,  it  may  be  fairly  presumed  that 
large  portions  of  the  heavy  articles  of  consumption  of 
Worcester  and  its  vicinity,  such  as  cotton,  coal,  iron,  salt, 
oil,  southern  corn,  and  leather,  will  find  their  way  there 
by  way  of  Providence,  when  the  facilities  of  transporta- 
tion between  these  places  are  as  great  as  through  other 
channels. 

The  town  of  Worcester  is,  by  the  surveyed  route, 
about  43  miles  from  Providence ; it  is  the  point  of  junc- 
tion of  the  two  roads  from  Norwich  and  Albany,  with 
that  from  Boston,  and  in  the  line  of  travel,  or  rather,  is 
the  great  centre  of  travel,  between  the  central  and  west- 
ern parts  of  Massachusetts  and  New  Hampshire  and 
Vermont  and  the  cities  on  the  sea  board,  and  the  depot 
of  large  quantities  of  merchandize  going  between  those 
places.  Its  business  is  very  large  ; besides  the  trade  usual 
for  the  supply  of  such  a population,  there  are  extensive 
manufacturing  establishments,  using  coal  and  iron,  and 
producing  rail  road  cars,  machinery,  farming  utensils, 
shoes,  and  various  other  articles ; among  these  are  the 
following  : 

A paper  maker  employs  fourteen  hands,  pays  freight 
on  more  than  four  hundred  tons  of  merchandize,  and 
ships  to  New  York  one  hundred  tons  annually. 


A manufacturer  of  card  wire  employs  forty  men,  and 
purchases  an  hundred  tons  of  wire  annually. 

A manufacturer,  employing  thirty-five  hands,  uses  two 
hundred  tons  of  iron,  and  makes  four  thousand  ploughs 
and  other  agricultural  instruments,  annually. 

A lead  pipe  maker  uses  fifty  tons  of  lead  annually. 

A manfacturer  of  woollen  machinery  uses  about  two 
hundred  tons  of  iron,  and  makes  thirty-five  setts  of  ma- 
chines. 

Thirteen  establishments  for  the  manufacture  of  ma- 
chinery use  large  quantities  of  iron,  lumber  and  coal. 
The  business  of  one  is  about  sixty-five  thousand  dollars 
annually  ; another,  fifty  thousand  dollars ; another,  twen- 
ty thousand  dollars ; another,  sixteen  thousand  dollars ; 
and  that  of  the  others,  in  the  aggregate  very  large. 

A foundry  employs  about  one  hundred  and  twenty 
hands,  and  uses  about  twenty-one  hundred  tons  of  coal, 
iron  and  moulding  sand  annually. 

A paper  and  calico  machine  manufactory,  occupied 
by  several  concerns,  makes  about  two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  worth  of  these  machines  annually. 

At  an  establishment,  twenty  thousand  dollars  worth  of 
machine  cards  are  made  annually. 


In  Worcester  there  are  3 Woolen  Mills,  with  9 setts  of  machinery, 


Leicester, 

South  Leicester, 
Auburn, 

Wei  den, 

CC 

West  Boylston, 


and  2 Cotton 

3 Woolen 
2 

1 Cotton 

2 Woolen 

4 Cotton 

4 “ 


1500  spindles. 

8 setts  of  machinery. 
6 “ “ 

2000  spindles. 

4 sets  of  machinery. 
8000  spindles. 

9000 


An  iron  dealer  in  Worcester  purchases  two  hundred 
tons  of  iron  annually. 

The  sales  of  shoes,  exclusive  of  those  at  retail,  amount 
to  about  $572,000. 

About  120,000  bushels  of  southern  corn,  4000  tons  of 
coal,  50,000  bushels  of  salt,  and  1000  tons  of  lime  are 


consumed  annually. 


6 


The  estimated  annual  amount  paid  for  passengers  by 
public  conveyances,  from  Providence  to  Worcester  and 
back,  through,  is  #1 0,000;  but  no  estimate  has  been  made 
of  the  sum  paid  for  freight  of  merchandize  between  these 
places,  though  it  must  be  evident  upon  view  of  the  kinds 
of  business  done  in  each,  that  it  might  fairly  be  estimated 
as  an  important  one. 

The  annexed  table  presents  the  villages  between  Prov- 
idence and  Worcester,  with  the  general  business  of  each, 
as  follows  : 

2.  Pawtucket,  including  the  village  in  North  Provi- 
dence, and  Massachusetts,  5 miles  from  Providence, 

40  “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  5,548 

In  this  place  are  15  cotton  factories,  with  35,920  spin- 
dles, 694  looms;  making  90,100  yards  of  cloth  per 
week,  and  working  3,071  bales  of  cotton  per  annum, 
employing  431  females  and  1,043  males.  The  Frank- 
lin Print  Works  print  160,000  yards  of  cloth  per 
week.  There  are  also  a manufactory  of  Plane  Irons 
and  Augers  ; two  Foundrys  ; a Planing  Mill;  a Reed 
Maker’s  Shop  ; a Lock  and  Knob  Shop;  a Comb  Fac- 
tory ; a Sash  and  Blind  Factory  ; three  Curriers’  Shops  ; 
a Sheet  Iron  and  Tin  Shop  ; a ’Dye  House  ; two  Engra- 
ving Shops  for  Copper  Rolls ; three  Printing  Offices, 
and  a large  trading  interest. 

Annual  tons  of  merchandize,  30,805 

Estimated  amount  paid  freight  of  merchandize  annually,  $30,805 

“ “ “ passengers  by  public  conveyance,  9,660 

See  note  on  the  annexed  table. 

3.  Central  Falls,  in  Smithfield  6 miles  from  Providence, 

39  “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  1,307 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  7 Cotton 
Mills,  with  19,714  spindles,  425  looms,  making  85,000 


7 


yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  1,875  bales  of  cotton 
per  annum ; 3 Machine  Shops,  and  4 small  Thread  Mills 
making  1,200  pounds  per  week.  There  are  284  fe- 
males and  240  males  employed.  There  are  also  2 
Spooling  Shops,  2 Turning  Shops,  and  1 Bedstead  Man- 
ufactory. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  2,500. 

“ amount  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $1,250 

“ “ “ for  freight  of  merchandize,  3,125 

4.  Valley  Falls,  in  Smithfield,  and  Cumberland. 

6 miles  from  Providence, 

38  from  Worcester. 

Popula’n,  including  Home  Print  Works  adjoining,  1,500. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  5 Cotton 
Mills,  with  22,340  spindles,  627  looms,  making  101,970 
yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  2,548  bales  of  cot- 
ton per  annum,  and  3 Machine  Shops.  There  are  276 
females,  and  205  males  employed. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  1,900 

“ “ amount  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $2,400 

“ “ “ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,900 

5.  Home  Print  Works  has  a Machine  Shop.  They 
employ  8 females  and  75  males,  and  print  80,000  pieces 
of  cloth  per  annum. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  1,100 

“ sum  paid  freight  of  merchandize,  $1,100 

6.  Lonsdale,  in  Smithfield,  6 miles  from  Providence, 

37  “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  1,200 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  4 Cot- 
ton Mills,  with  22,000  spindles,  and  560  looms ; employ- 
ing 250  females  and  150  males;  producing  60,000  yds. 
of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  1,200  bales  of  cotton 
per  annum ; a Bleaching  and  Dyeing  establishment  is  just 
ready  for  operation. 


a 


Estimated  annual  tons  of  Merchandize,  1,500 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $675 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,500 

Lime  Rock,  in  Smithfield,  8 miles  from  Providence, 

35  from  Worcester. 

The  production  of  this  place  is  Lime  of  a very  supe- 
rior quality,  very  large  quantities  of  which  are  transport- 
ed to  Providence  for  consumption  and  shipment ; it  is 
preferred  to  any  other  lime  in  New  England,  is  used  ex- 
tensively at  Worcester,  and  all  along  the  route  between 
Providence  and  Worcester,  and  persons  of  the  best  judg- 
ment in  the  matter,  say  that  with  facilities  to  obtain  it  at 
the  same  cost  with  that  now  more  generally  used  in 
Worcester,  brought  there  from  Glens  Falls,  would  be 
preferred,  and  used  there  to  the  extent  of  500  tons 
annually. 

7.  Albion,  in  Smithfield,  11  miles  from  Providence, 

32  “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  400. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  2 Cot- 
ton Mills,  with  8,500  spindles,  206  looms ; employing  115 
females,  and  102  males;  making  20,000  yds.  of  cloth 
per  week,  and  working  600  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 
There  is  a Machine  Shop  for  repairs. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  550 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $225 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,100 

8.  Mansville,  in  Smithfield,  12  miles  from  Providence, 

31  “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  700. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  2 Cot- 
ton Mills,  with  12,000  spindles,  300  looms;  employing 
about  80  females  and  1 50  males ; making  30,600  yds.  of 
cloth  per  week  ; working  850  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 


9 


Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  700 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  in  stages,  $700 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,000 

9.  Cumberland  Hill,  in  Cumberland, 

12  miles  from  Providence, 

30  from  Worcester. 

Population  160. 

This  is  a country  village,  and  chiefly  interesting  as 
being  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  an  inexhaustible  quar- 
ry of  iron  stone,  which  is  extensively  used  in  Massachu- 
setts, and  other  places,  in  the  manufacture  of  iron  ; and 
because  teams  with  boots,  shoes,  bonnets,  and  leather, 
between  Providence  and  Mendon,  Milford  and  Upton, 
pass  directly  through  it. 

Estimated  sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $150 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize  to  and  from 

places  named,  2,500 

10.  Mansfield  & Holman’s,  and  Branch  Works,  in 

Smithfield,  14  miles  from  Providence, 

29  “ “ Worcester. 

Messrs.  Mansfield  & Holman  employ  about  40  men, 
and  manufacture  5000  doz.  of  Scythes,  annually.  The 
Branch  Mill,  so  called,  is  partly  occupied  for  spinning 
cotton  and  wool  and  making  woolen  cloth  ; in  it  are  800 
spindles,  and  1 set  of  woollen  machinery,  making  2,000 
yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  100  bales  of  cotton, 
and  25,000  pourfds  of  wool  per  annum.  There  are  15 
females  and  20  males  employed  in  the  mill. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  660 

sum  paid  freight  of  merchandize,  $1,560 

11.  Hamlet,  in  Smithfield,  15  miles  from  Providence, 

28  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  250. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  2 Cot- 
ton Mills,  with  5,832  spindles,  120 looms;  employing 67 

2 


10 


females  and  74  males ; making  20,000  yards  of  cotton 
cloth  per  week,  and  working  650  bales  of  cotton  per  an- 
num. 

Annual  tons  of  merchandize,  400 

Estimated  sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $400 

“ “ freight  of  merchandize,  700 

12.  Bernon,  in  Smithfield,  16  miles  from  Providence, 

27  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  750. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  with  2 Cotton  Mills, 
in  which  are  11,000  spindles,  288  looms,  175  females, 
75  males  employed,  making  38,500  yds.  of  cloth  per 
week,  and  working  1,000  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  633 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  in  stages,  $633 

sum  paid  freight  of  merchandize  per  annum,  1,266 

13.  Woonsocket,  in  Cumberland,  16  miles  from  Prov., 

27  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  4,000. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  with  17  Cotton  Mills, 
in  which  are  34,456  spindles,  and  812  looms ; making 
151,039  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  5,251  bales 
of  cotton  per  annum ; also  3 Woollen  Mills,  with  10  setts 
of  machinery,  making  4,700  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and 
working  281,500  pounds  of  wool  per  annum.  Also  6 
Machine  Shops,  an  Iron  Foundry,  2 Grist  Mills,  a Saw 
Mill,  2 Thread  Mills,  a Spool  and  Bobbin  Shop,  a Soap 
Works,  2 Stores  for  corn,  flour,  lime  and  groceries,  at 
wholesale,  and  the  other  business  for  the  ordinary  sup- 
ply of  such  a population  and  the  neighboring  towns.  In 
the  mills,  413  females  and  456  males  are  employed. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  15,233 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  by  stages,  $10,100 

“ “ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  30,466 


11 


14.  Waterford,  in  Mendon,  17  miles  from  Providence, 

26  44  “ Worcester. 

Population  800. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  with  3 Woollen  Mills, 
in  which  are  employed  125  females  and  325  males ; 
there  are  26  setts  of  woollen  machinery,  146  cards  ; mak- 
ing 8,000  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  900,000 
pounds  of  wool  per  annum.  There  is  also  a Wheelright 
Shop. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  2,200 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $450 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  5,000 

15.  Blackstone,  in  Mendon,  18  miles  from  Providence, 

25  6 4 44  Worcester, 

Population  1,100. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village  ; there  are  3 Cotton 
Mills,  with  36,000  spindles,  750  looms;  making  150,000 
yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  3,000  bales  of  cot- 
ton annually ; there  is  also  a small  Machine  Shop  ; there 
are  350  females  and  200  males  employed. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  1840 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $600 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  3,680 

16.  Slatersville,  in  Smithfield,  17  miles  from  Prov., 

1 8 44  44  Worces’r. 

Population  1,200. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  with  4 Cotton  Mills, 
with  12,000  spindles,  305  looms ; employing  212  females 
and  108  males  ; making  55,000  yds.  of  cloth  per  week, 
and  working  2,400  bales  of  cotton  annually.  There  is 
also  a small  Machine  Shop. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  900 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages, 

“ “ freight  of  merchandize, 


$2,840 

2,160 


12 


17.  Millville,  in  Mendon,  20  miles  from  Providence, 

23  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  600. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village*;  there  are  2 Cotton 
Mills  with  1,400  spindles,  and  16  looms  ; making  3,000 
yds.  of  cloth  per  week  and  working  150  bales  of  cotton 
per  annum.  Also  2 Woolen  Mills,  with  6 setts  of  ma- 
chinery, making  4,000  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  work- 
ing 200,000  pounds  of  wool  annually.  Also  a Scythe 
Shop,  making  2,000  doz.  scythes,  and  a Wheelright  Shop 
making  150  wagons  per  annum.  Females  100,  Males  100. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  825 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  by  stages,  $100 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  2,520 

18.  Iron  Stone,  in  Uxbridge,  22  miles  from  Prov., 

21  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  90. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  with  1 Woolen  Mill, 
employing  15  females  and  24  males ; making  1,000  yds. 
of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  30,000  pounds  of  wool 
per  annum. 

Annnal  tons  of  merchandize,  100 

Sum  paid  freight  of  merchandize,  $333 

19.  Uxbridge,  25  miles  from  Providence, 

„ 18  “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  exclusive  of  Rogerson  Village,  2,000. 

This  is  a manufacturing  and  agricultural  town,  in 
which  are  5 Woolen  Mills,  with  17  setts  of  machinery, 
and  a Machine  Shop,  employing  71  females  and  115 
males ; making  12,000  yards  of  cloth  per  week,  and 
working  624,000  pounds  of  wool  per  annum.  There  is 
also  a carriage  Maker’s  Shop,  a Boot  and  Shoe  manu- 
factory, and  a Tannery. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  1,500 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  by  stages,  $3,744 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  3,375 


13 


20.  Rogerson’s  Village,  in  Uxbridge, 

26  miles  from  Providence, 

17  u a Worcester. 

Population  400. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  2 Cot- 
ton  Mills,  with  8,200  spindles,  144  looms ; employing 
124  females  and  80  males;  making  18,000yds.  of  cloth 
per  week,  and  working  550  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 
There  is  also  a Saw  Mill,  a Shingle  Mill,  a Batting  Mill, 
and  2 Stove  Manufactories. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  350 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  by  stages,  $500 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,400 

21.  Whitingville,  in  Northbridge,  26  miles  from  Prov., 

17  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  500. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  with  2 Cotton  Mills 
with  1 1 ,400  spindles,  240  looms,  and  a large  Machine 
Shop  ; employing  130  females  and  215  males  ; making 
70,000  yds.  of  cotton  cloth  per  week,  large  quantities  of 
machinery,  and  working  2,000  bales  of  cotton  per  an- 
num. The  shoe  manufacturers  and  curriers  in  North- 
bridge,  employ  120  males  and  80  females,  and  make 
about  100,000  pairs  per  annum. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  2,000 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $1,000 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  8,000 

22.  Douglass,  26  miles  from  Providenee, 

17  “ Worcester. 

Population  1617. 

This  is  a manufacturing  and  agricultural  town ; there 
are  2 Cotton  Mills,  with  7,660  spindles,  196 looms;  mak- 
ing 25,000  yds.  of  cotton  cloth  per  week ; working  750 
bales  of  cotton  per  annum  ; 1 Woolen  Mill  with  1 sett  of 
machinery,  making  1,800  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and 
working  51,200  lbs  of  wool  per  annum;  a large  manu- 


14 


ufactory  of  Axes,  &c.,  employing  77  hands ; 2 Shoe  man- 
ufactories, employing  86  males  and  65  females,  making 
38,000  pairs  of  shoes  per  annum.  The  number  of  fe- 
males employed  in  the  cotton  and  woolen  business,  is  es- 
timated at  65,  and  males  at  100. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  2,400 

“ sum  paid  for  passengers  in  stages,  $725 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  9,600 

23.  Manchaug,  in  Sutton,  26  miles  from  Providence, 

17  a u Worcester. 

Population  200. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  3 Cot- 
ton Mills,  with  5,000  spindles  and  132  looms,  employing 
45  females  and  75  males ; making  20,000  yds.  of  cloth 
per  week,  and  working  450  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  300 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $100 

k“  “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,200 

24.  Plummer’s  in  Northbridge,  28  miles  from  Prov., 

15  “ Worc’r. 

This  is  a trading  establishment. 

Annual  tons  of  merchandize,  300 

Sum  paid  freight  of  merchandize*  $600 

25.  Holbrook’s  Village,  in  Northbridge, 

30  miles  from  Providence, 

13  “ “ Worcester. 

Population  550. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  are  3 Cot- 
ton Mills  with  11,600  spindles,  and  280  looms  ; employ- 
ing 40  females  and  120  males;  making  50,600  yds.  of 
cloth  per  week,  and  working  2,100  bales  of  cotton  per 
annum.  There  is  also  a machine  Shop. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  1,390 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages, 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize, 


$1,600 

7,000 


15 


26.  Farnumsville,  in  Grafton, 

33  miles  from  Providence, 

10  44  44  Worcester. 

Population  375. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  having  1 Cotton  Mill 
with  4,000  spindles,  104  looms,  to  employ  50  females 
and  25  males,  make  20,000  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and 
work  800  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  Merchandize,  287 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $1,000 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  ' 1,148 

27.  Fisherville,  in  Grafton,  33  miles  from  Prov., 

10  44  44  Wor’r. 

Population  125 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  is  a Cotton 
Mill  with  2,600  spindles  and  60  looms ; employing  25 
males  and  25  Females  ; making  13,000  yds.  of  cloth  per 
week,  and  working  500  bales  of  cotton  per  annum. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  350 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $300 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,000 

28.  Grafton,  35  miles  from  Providence, 

8 44  44  Worcester. 

Population,  2,877. 

This  is  a manufacturing  and  agricultural  town  ; there 
is  a Cotton  Mill  with  1,300  spindles,  and  31  looms,  mak- 
ing 7,000  yds  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  200  bales 
of  cotton  per  annum.  The  Shoe  business  of  this  place 
is  much  larger  than  that  of  any  other  on  the  route,  as  will 
appear  on  comparing  the  number  of  persons  employed, 
viz : in  the  mill  and  shoe  manufactories,  about  200  females 
and  400  males. 

Annual  tons  of  merchandize,  800 

Sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages, 

“ “ freight  of  merchandize, 


$800 

2,400 


/ 


16 

29.  New  England  Village,  in  Grafton, 

28  miles  from  Providence, 

7 u u Worcester. 

Population  included  in  Grafton. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  there  are  2 
Cotton  Mills  with  8,800  spindles,  and  250  looms,  mak- 
ing 45,000  yds.  of  cloth  per  week,  and  working  2,400 
bales  of  cotton  per  annum.  There  is  also  a Batting  Mill, 
a Grist  Mill,  a Machine  Shop,  a Sash  Factory,  a Hoe 
and  Scythe  Shop,  and  a Tin  and  Stove  Shop.  These 
works  employ  200  females  and  100  males. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  2,360 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  $4,000 

This  village  is  near  the  line  of  the  Boston  and  Wor- 
cester Road  and  no  estimate  is  made  of  the  passengers 
to  or  from  it. 

30.  Saundersville,  in  Sutton,  35  miles  from  Prov., 

8 “ “ Worc’r. 

Population  200. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village,  in  which  there  are  2 
Cotton  Mills  with  2,300  spindles  and  35  looms  ; employ- 
ing 15  females  and  25  males,  making  10,000  yds.  of 
cloth  per  week,  and  working  225  bales  of  cotton  per  an- 
num. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  200 

“ “ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $100 

“ “ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  600 

31.  Wilkinsonville,  in  Sutton,  38  miles  from  Prov., 

7 “ " Worc’r. 

Population  2,370. 

This  is  a manufacturing  village ; including  its  imme- 
diate vicinity  it  has  2 Cotton  Mills  with  6,184  spindles, 
and  100  looms;  making  16,000  yds.  of  cloth  per  week, 
and  working  400  bales  of  cotton  per  annum.  There  is 


17 


also  1 Woollen  Mill  with  2 setts  of  machinery,  a Machine 
Shop,  2 Shuttle  Shops,  a Machine  Shop  for  Joiners 
Tools,  a Machine  Shop  for  Shoemakers  Tools,  and  2 
Shoe  manufactories,  making  20,000  pairs  of  shoes  annu- 
ally. In  these  Works,  the  estimated  number  of  persons 
employed  is  56  females  and  94  males. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandise,  300 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $1,992 

“ “ “ freight  of  merchandize,  1,500 

32.  Milbury,  38  miles  from  Providence, 

5 “ “ Worcester. 

Population,  2,500. 

This  is  a manufacturing  town,  in  which  there  are  6 
Cotton  Mills,  with  16,000  spindles  and  405  looms  ; mak- 
ing 96,600  yds.  of  cloth  per  week  and  working  3,068 
bales  of  cotton  per  annum  ; also  5 Woollen  Mills  with  1 7 
setts  of  machinery  and  81  cards  ; making  15,100  yds.  of 
cloth  per  week,  and  working  1,170,000  lbs.  of  wool  and 
rags  per  annum.  There  are  2 Machine  Shops,  a Paper 
Mill,  an  Armory  for  making  small  arms,  an  Iron  Foundry, 
a Scythe  Works,  making  3000  doz.  scythes  per  annum, 
2 manufactories  of  farmers  tools,  and  3 Shoe  manufacto- 
ries, whose  business  amounts  to  about  $ 150,000  per  an- 
num. There  are  employed  in  this  place  228  females 
and  466  males. 

Estimated  annual  tons  of  merchandize,  8,000 

“ sum  paid  by  passengers  in  stages,  $5,000 

“ “ freight  of  merchandize,  24,000 


3 


18 


These  estimates,  most  of  which  are  made  from  actual 
returns,  and  in  which  are  included  some  Cotton  Mills 


which  are  not  yet  in  operation,  but  in  progress,  and  some 
of  them  nearly  ready  to  start,  present,  in  addition  to  oth- 
er matters,  the  following  aggregate,  viz  : 


Cotton  Mills, 

94 

a Spindles, 

307,006 

“ Looms, 

7,092 

Yards  of  Cotton  Cloth  per  week, 

1,197,800 

Bales  of  Cotton  used  per  year, 

35,138 

Woolen  Mills, 

22 

Setts  of  Woolen  Machinery, 

81 

Yards  of  Woolen  Cloth  per  week, 

50,900 

Pounds  of  Wool  per  annum, 

3,341,700 

Scythe  Works, 

4 

Dozens  of  Scythes  per  annum, 

10,500 

Machine  Shops, 

30 

Females  employed, 

4,288 

Males  do. 

5,205 

Sums  paid  by  passengers  in  Stages, 

$57,144 

“ “ freight  of  Merchandize, 

155,338 

Total  paid  passengers  and  freight,  $213,482 

From  the  foregoing  estimates  and  statements,  and  the 
annexed  tables,  it  appears  that  the  sum  now  paid  for  pas- 
sengers by  public  conveyance  on  the  route  between 
Providence  and  Worcester,  is  $57,144,  and  for  merchan- 
dize consumed  at  and  sent  from  the  various  places  on 
the  route,  $156,338.  Of  the  number  of  passengers  by 
private  conveyances  no  estimate  has  been  made,  as  there 
are  no  known  data  for  making  it ; in  other  similar  state- 
ments for  other  routes  it  has  been  set  down  at  twice  or  three 
times  that  by  the  public,  and  it  is  thought  entirely  safe 
to  consider  it  at  least  as  equal.  On  the  Eastern,  Lowell, 
Worcester  and  Boston  roads,  the  number  of  passengers 


19 


has  been  three  or  four  times  as  large  as  passed  over  the 
same  routes  in  stages.  Many  persons  on  this  route  go 
from  various  points  to  Boston  by  way  of  the  Boston  and 
Worcester  and  the  Boston  and  Providence  roads  ; many 
go  from  Providence  to  Worcester  by  way  of  Danielson- 
ville  ; many  also,  particularly  the  farmers,  and  owners  or 
agents  of  the  mills,  travel  in  their  own  carriages,  and  in 
almost  every  village  there  are  large  numbers  of  horses 
kept  to  let ; and  it  may  be  fairly  concluded,  that  when 
these  various  classes  are  accommodated  by  the  facility 
of  a Rail  Road,  their  aggregate  number  will  be  as  large 
compared  with  the  present  number  by  stages,  as  that  of 
any  of  the  roads  named. 

The  connection  of  this  with  the  Western,  and  Wor- 
cester and  Norwich  roads,  is  undoubtedly  of  great  im- 
portance in  estimating  its  value  and  income.  It  thus  be- 
comes the  direct  line  of  travel  from  Narragansett  Bay 
to  Albany  and  the  Lakes,  and  between  Newport  and 
Saratoga  and  Niagara,  the  most  interesting  and  attract- 
ive watering  places  in  the  country  ; and  is  a medium  by 
which  the  people  of  Providence,  owning  mills  in  Web- 
ster and  the  valley  of  the  Quinnebaug,  can  communi- 
cate with  their  establishments  with  their  supplies,  and  re- 
ceive their  productions.  Much  the  same  may  be  said  of 
the  freight ; that  from  the  western  road,  which  goes  to 
Boston,  being  made  up  of  articles  of  supply  for  the  ordi- 
nary consumption  of  the  inhabitants  of  that  city,  will  of 
course  be  equally  wanted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Provi- 
dence and  the  valley  of  the  Blackstone,  and  as  in  Boston, 
can  be  by  no  other  means  so  readily  or  cheaply  supplied. 
How  much  business  or  income  can  be  expected  from 
these  sources,  time  alone  can  determine. 

There  is  perhaps  more  analogy  between  the  business 
and  population  of  the  Lowell  route  and  this  in  their  gen- 
eral character,  than  between  this  and  any  other.  The 
manufacturing  business  of  Lowell  has  gathered  its  popu- 


20 


lation,  furnishes  the  passengers,  and  gives  occasion  or 
the  immense  travel  and  transportation  upon  the  Lowell 
road.  The  folllowing  will  show  how  the  business  re- 
turns of  Lowell  in  1841  will  compare  with  the  statistics 
now  presented,  as  to  that  of  the  valley  of  the  Blackstone 
River  : 


Blackstone  Valley. 

307,006 

15,812,000 

62,285,600 

3,341,700 

9,298 


Lowell. 

Spindles,  178,868 

Cotton  used,  21,424,000  per  annum, 
do  Cloth,  65,803,400  yds.  per  year, 

Wool  Man’d.  per  annum, 

Hands  emp’d.  9,092 
The  estimated  number  of  passengers  for  the  Lowell 
road  was  originally  37,440  per  annum  ; the  actual  num- 
ber exclusive  of  those  to  and  from  the  Concord,  Nashua, 
and  Maine  roads,  has  for  several  years  past  varied  from 
90,000  to  120,000,  and  will  probably  this  year  reach 
140,000. 


It  is  not  of  course  supposed  that  there  will  be  as  much 
intercourse  between  the  business  and  population  of  the 
Blackstone  and  Worcester  with  Providence,  as  there 
would  be  between  the  same  amount  of  business  and  pop- 
ulation with  so  large  a city  as  Boston  ; but  if  the  busi- 
ness communication  between  Lowell  and  Boston  is  suf- 
ficient to  give  a profit  of  8 per  cent,  on  $1,800,000,  it  is 
thought  by  the  Committee  not  unreasonable  to  suppose, 
that  a much  larger  business  in  the  valley  of  the  Black- 
stone, with  that  from  Worcester  and  vicinity,  that  from 
the  west  by  the  western  road,  and  some  from  the  Nor- 
wich and  Worcester  road,  which  may  be  considered  very 
certain,  to  pass  a road  between  Providence  and  Worces- 
ter must  at  least  afford  an  equal  profit  on  $1,000,000. 

It  may  be  said  that  a part  of  the  business  stated  in  the 
table  is  too  near  Providence  to  afford  a return  to  a Rail 
Road  on  the  route  corresponding  with  its  amount ; this 
is  true,  and  on  this  account  reasonable  allowance  should 


21 


be  made,  but  it  should  be  remembered  that  all  the  busi- 
ness for  a greater  distance  than  26  miles,  the  length  of 
the  Lowell  road,  will  pay  a greater  corresponding  profit, 
and  it  is  probable  that  the  average  distance  by  each  pas- 
senger, and  each  ton  of  merchandize,  would  be  quite  as 
great  on  it  as  on  the  Lowell  road. 

It  should  always  be  remembered  as  an  important  fact 
in  relation  to  this  route,  that  a road  upon  it  can  have  no 
competitor  for  passengers,  except  teams  and  stages. 

The  estimates  of  the  Engineer  upon  the  result  of  the 
operations  of  the  road,  are  annexed. 

What  effect  these  statistics,  statements  and  sugges- 
tions, as  to  the  sources  of  revenue  for  a Rail  Road  be- 
tween Providence  and  Worcester,  will  have  upon  other 
minds,  the  Committee  cannot  attempt  to  tell ; they  feel 
very  sure  that  no  case  in  relation  to  any  proposed  road 
on  any  route  in  New  England,  has  been  presented,  in 
which  the  various  elements  upon  which  the  confidence  of 
persons  seeking  secure  investment  for  their  capital,  can 
safely  rest,  have  been  more  evident ; and  with  great  con- 
fidence they  submit  this  Report. 

A.  O.  PECK,  ) 

WILLIAM  JACKSON  > Committee. 

CHRIST’R  S.  RHODES,  ) 


22 


An  Estimate  of  the  Probable  Receipts  of  the  Providence 
and  Worcester  Rail  Road  from  Freight. 


TO  PROVIDENCE. 


STATIONS. 

MILES. 

KATE  PER  TON. 

NO.  TONS. 

AMOUNT. 

Lonsdale, 

6 

75 

1500 

$1125 

Albion, 

10 

160 

550 

880 

Manville, 

12 

180 

700 

1260 

Hamlet, 

15 

175 

400 

700 

Woonsocket, 

15J 

175 

17000 

29750 

Waterford, 

17 

175 

2200 

3850 

Blackstone, 

17£ 

175 

1840 

3220 

Millville, 

20 

220 

925 

2035 

Uxbridge, 

Roger  son’s,  } 

25 

250 

1500 

3750 

Whiting’s  > 

Douglass,  ) 

Holbrook’s, 

26 

250 

5450 

13625 

30 

260 

1390 

3614 

Farnumsville, 

33 

260 

1500 

3900 

Wilkinsonsville, 

35 

270 

500 

1350 

Millbury, 

37i 

280 

2000 

5600 

Worcester, 

43 

300 

4000 

12000 

41455 

$86659 

To  this  amount  should  be  added  the  income  received 
from  freight  transported  between  the  several  way  sta- 
tions and  Worcester,  and  also  that  transported  between 
the  way  stations  only.  This,  in  the  course  of  one  year, 
will  probably  amount  to  $5000,  making  the  sum  total  for 
freight  receipts,  91,659, 


23 


An  Estimate  of  the  Probable  Receipts  of  the  Providence 
and  Worcester  Rail  Road  from  Passengers . 


To  Providence. 

To  Worcester. 

Stations. 

Miles 

Fare. 

Cts. 

Numb’s 

per  ann. 

Am’nt. 

Miles 

Fare 

Cts 

Numb’s 

per  ann. 

Am’t. 

Lonsdale, 

6 

20 

7825 

$1565 

37 

130 

900 

$1170 

Albion, 

10 

35 

2500 

875 

33 

115 

300 

345 

Manville, 

12 

40 

3000 

1200 

31 

110 

500 

550 

Hamlet, 

Woonsocket, 

45 

50 

1200 

600 

28 

100 

250 

250 

15i 

50 

36000 

18000 

27J 

100 

3000 

3000 

Waterford, 

17 

60 

1800 

1080 

26 

90 

1100 

990 

Blackstone, 

m 

60 

3600 

2160 

25J 

90 

1500 

1350 

Millville, 

20 

70 

600 

420 

23 

80 

600 

480 

Uxbridge, 
Rogerson’s  \ 
Whiting  & > 

25 

85 

3000 

2550 

18 

65 

3000 

1950 

26 

90 

2400 

2160 

17 

60 

3000 

1800 

Douglass,  ) 

Holbrook’s, 

Farnumsville, 

30 

105 

1200 

1260 

13 

45 

1800 

810 

33 

115 

1500 

1725 

10 

35 

2500 

875 

Wilkinsonville, 

35 

125 

1200 

1500 

8 

25 

3000 

750 

Millbury, 

37J 

130 

2000 

2600 

Oi 

20 

30000 

6000 

Worcester, 

43 

150 

15000 

22500 

60195 

20320 

$80515 

20320 

In  this  estimate,  no  account  is  taken  of  passengers  be- 
tween Pawtucket,  Valley  and  Central  Falls  and  Provi- 
dence. This  being  the  only  part  of  the  route  on  which  any 
competition  can  prevail,  or  on  which  there  can  be  any 
doubt  but  that  the  Rail  Road  will  secure  the  whole  travel, 
it  is  thought  advisable  to  omit  any  estimate  of  the  amount. 
To  the  above  should  be  added  the  amount  paid  by  pas- 
sengers between  the  several  stations  on  the  road,  which 
may  amount  to  about  $5,000  annually,  making  the  whole 
amount  of  passenger  receipts,  $85,515  per  annum. 

These  estimates  are  based  on  the  returns  received  by 
the  Committee  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  collecting 


24 


the  statistics  of  business  in  the  Valley  of  the  Blackstone 
river,  which  returns  are  believed  to  be  within  the  truth. 


Annual  receipts  from  freight, 
u “ “ passengers, 

Supposed  “ “ mail, 


91,659 

82,515 

4,000 


$181,174 


To  do  the  business  here  estimated  for,  there  will 
require  to  be  run,  2 Passenger  and  1 Freight  Train, 
over  the  whole  length  of  the  road,  and  3 Passenger  and 
1 Freight  Train  to  Woonsocket,  from  Providence  and 
back  ; making  392  miles  per  day,  or  122,696  miles  per 
annum,  which  at  50  cents  per  mile,  which  is  supposed 
to  be  ample  to  cover  the  expense,  amounts  to  $61,348 
for  the  annual  expense  of  the  road,  leaving  a nett  income 
(from  the  above  gross  receipts)  of  $119,826,  being 
nearly  12  per  cent,  upon  a capital  of  $1,000,000. 


T.  WILLIS  PRATT. 


Wool  Setts  .Yards  ofi  Pounds  of  \ Ma-  .Scjt’e  (Ltoz.  of  . Fe-  . Males  . Estimated. 


25 


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4 


ENGINEER’S  REPORT. 


To  the  Committee  of  Surveys  of  the  Providence 
and  Worcester  Rail  Road . 

Gentlemen  : — Having  so  far  completed  the  surveys 
for  the  proposed  Rail  Road  as  to  be  enabled  to  make  an 
estimate  of  its  cost,  I have  the  honor  to  make  the  fol- 
lowing Report  : 

On  a general  view  of  the  country  lying  between  Prov- 
idence and  Worcester,  it  appears  very  evident,  that  the 
most  proper  route  for  a rail-way  will  be  through  the  val- 
ley of  the  Blackstone  river.  But  little  observation  is  re- 
quired to  satisfy  us  that  this  route  is  the  most  feasible,  at 
the  same  time  that  it  will  accommodate  the  largest  amount 
of  the  population  and  business  of  the  country  lying  be- 
tween the  two  places.  The  waters  of  the  Blackstone 
afford  a large  amount  of  power  for  manufacturing  pur- 
poses, a great  portion  of  which  has  been  improved,  and 
factory  villages  are  scattered  along  the  whole  length  of 
the  route.  It  becomes  certain,  then,  that  a large  pro- 
portion of  the  income  of  the  road  will  be  derived  from 
merchandize  transportation  ; and  this  being  the  case, 
particular  attention  should  be  paid,  and  some  sacrifices 
made,  to  obtain  a line  with  as  low  a maximum  gradient 
as  possible.  The  principal  village  on  the  route  is  Woon 


socket,  which  will  afford  a large  portion  of  the  income 
of  the  road,  for  freight  and  passengers  to  and  from  Prov- 
idence. Could  a lower  gradient  be  maintained  between 
these  two  places  than  the  maximum  on  the  whole  line,  it 
would  be  highly  advantageous  to  the  practical  working 
of  the  road ; for  an  engine  which  is  loaded  for  the  max- 
imum grades,  could  still  take  on  an  increased  load  to 
Woonsocket.  To  this  place,  the  line  on  which  the  es- 
timate isubased  has  no  inclination  exceeding  17TV<r  feet 
per  mile.  This  grade  is  obtained  on  aline  starting  from 
the  cove,  near  the  centre  of  Providence,  keeping  near 
the  canal,  (which  for  four  or  five  miles  passes  through 
the  valley  of  a small  stream  called  the  Moshassuc,)  un- 
til it  reaches  the  valley  of  the  Blackstone  river,  near 
the  village  of  Lonsdale  ; thence  in  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity of  the  river,  passing  through  the  villages  of  Albion, 
Manville  and  Hamlet,  to  Woonsocket.  Several  miles  of 
the  line  may  be  laid  on  or  very  near  the  tow  path  of  the 
canal,  with  a very  small  amount  of  either  excavation  or 
embankment.  Since  the  surveys  upon  this  route  were 
made,  another  has  been  proposed,  passing  through  or 
near  the  villages  of  Pawtucket,  Valley  Falls  and  Central 
Falls.  This  route  is  more  circuitous,  is  longer,  and  has 
much  steeper  grades  than  the  other,  but  it  is  said  that 
the  passenger  business  between  the  above  named  places 
and  Providence,  will  more  than  compensate  for  the  ex- 
tra expense  required  to  build  and  operate  the  road  through 
these  villages.  The  merits  of  the  line  must  depend  upon 
the  amount  of  extra  income  to  be  derived  from  this  pas- 
senger business.  The  length  of  road  will  be  increased 
about  one  mile,  and  the  maximum  grade  will  be  26T4S°7 
feet  per  mile  against  17T9o5o  feet  per  mile  on  the  other 
line.  The  expense  per  mile  of  the  Pawtucket  route  will 
but  little  exceed  that  of  the  other. 

Having  reached  Woonsocket,  15 \ miles  from  Provi- 
dence, with  a grade  less  that  18  feet  per  mile,  we  pro- 


28 


ceed  onward  to  Blackstone  village,  at  which  place  the 
fall  in  the  river  compels  us  to  introduce  a grade  of  21Ty^ 
feet  per  mile  to  surmount  the  elevation.  This  will  be 
the  maximum  grade  in  the  line  as  far  as  Farnumville, 
32ro¥  miles  from  Providence. 

Leaving  Woonsocket,  the  line  passes  south  and  west 
of  Farnum’s  Mill  and  Waterford  villages,  through  Black- 
stone  village  and  Millville  towards  Uxbridge,  keeping 
near  the  river  the  whole  distance.  A route  was  survey- 
ed passing  through  Uxbridge  village  nearly  parallel  with 
the  street,  and  crossing  Mumford  river  at  Rogerson’s 
Mill  Pond,  passes  within  miles  of  Whiting’s  Facto- 
ries, and  joins  the  river  line  at  Dunn’s  Pond,  near  Hol- 
brook’s Lower  Factories.  This  will  perhaps  accommo- 
date a greater  amount  of  population  and  business  than 
the  river  line,  and  it  is  not  objectionable  on  account  of 
the  grades  or  distance.  From  Dunn’s  Pond  onward,  the 
line  continues  upon  the  south  side  of  the  canal  and  river, 
passing  Holbrook’s  village  to  Farnumsville. 

At  this  point,  two  routes  are  designated  by  which  we 
may  reach  Worcester.  One  being  a continuation  of  the 
river  and  canal  line,  passes  Fisher’s,  Saunders’,  and  Wil- 
kinson’s Factories,  and  through  the  village  of  Millbury, 
enters  the  village  of  Worcester,  at  its  southern  extremity, 
and  may  join  with  the  Norwich  or  Western  Rail  Roads, 
or  be  independent  of  both  of  them.  The  maximum 
grade  on  this  line  will  be  on  the  ascent  from  Farnums- 
ville to  Millbury.  Here  it  will  be  necessary  to  intro- 
duce a grade  of  23^  feet  per  mile  for  nearly  four  miles. 
Should  this  route  be  adopted,  the  above  will  be  the  max- 
imum grade  on  the  whole  road,  and  the  distance  to  Wor- 
cester will  be  43Tlo2<r  miles.  No  difficulties  will  be  en- 
countered on  the  line  from  Farnumsville  to  Worcester, 
and  a connection  can  easily  be  made  with  the  branch  of 
the  B.  & W.  Rail  Road  at  Milbury. 

The  other  route  proceeds  by  the  valley  of  the  Little 


29 


Blackstone  river,  northwardly  to  the  foot  of  the  hill  on 
which  is  situated  Grafton  village,  thence  across  the  river 
to  the  New  England  village,  and  joins  with  the  Boston 
and  Worcester  Rail  Road  at  the  Grafton  Depot,  so  call- 
ed. Another  line  was  run  from  the  foot  of  Grafton  Hill 
to  connect  with  the  B.  & W.  R.  R*  at  Cutler’s  Summit, 
a mile  nearer  Boston  than  the  Grafton  Depot.  The 
length  of  the  first  of  these  lines  from  Farnumsville,  is 
miles  to  the  junction  with  the  Boston  and  Worcester  R. 
R.,  thence  to  Worcester,  is  6r70V  miles ; making  the 
whole  distance  from  Providence  to  Worcester,  44^ 
miles,  against  43rl02o  miles  by  the  Millbury  route.  The 
maximum  grade  on  the  line  to  the  Grafton  Depot,  will 
be  26^  feet  per  mile,  and  from  Grafton  to  Worcester 
there  are  grades  of  30  feet  per  mile  for  more  than  4 
miles.  The  line  to  Cutler’s  Summit,  is  5^  miles  in 
length,  and  connects  with  the  Boston  Rail  Road  at  8 
miles  from  Worcester,  by  which  the  whole  distance  from 
Providence  will  be  46tV0  miles,  with  the  same  grades  as 
the  Grafton  Depot  line.  A junction  with  the  Boston 
and  Worcester  Rail  Road  at  Cutler’s  Summit,  though 
made  at  a somewhat  less  expense  in  the  grading,  will 
create  a necessity  for  a new  Depot  at  that  place,  but  lit- 
tle more  than  a mile  from  the  present  Grafton  Depot, 
the  expense  of  maintaining  which  will  more  than  coun- 
terbalance any  excess  of  cost  of  the  Grafton  Depot  line ; 
for  this  reason  the  estimate  for  the  last  named  line  only, 
will  be  presented  to  compare  with  the  Millbury  line. 

Along  the  whole  extent  of  the  line  the  material  to  be 
excavated  is  very  favorable,  and  scarcely  any  solid  rock 
is  to  be  found  in  any  part  of  it.  The  deepest  cuts  to  be 
encountered  are  at  Providence,  and  at  Woonsocket  and 
Blackstone  villages,  and  are  in  excellent  gravel,  a mate- 
rial easily  moved,  and  very  suitable  for  the  road  bed. 
Near  Uxbridge  are  large  masses  of  a fine  grained  granite, 
very  suitable  for  masonry,  and  for  stone  sleepers,  should 


so 


it  be  thought  advisable  to  use  them  in  place  of  woodet 
ones.  Chestnut  timber  is  also  abundant,  and  in  fact 
every  material  required  is  so  easily  to  be  obtained  as  to 
insure  the  work  being  done  at  the  lowest  prices. 

In  order  to  enable  the  Committee  the  better  to  judge 
of  the  value  of  the  lowest  gradient,  I have  prepared  the 
following  statement,  viz  : 

The  same  amount  of  power  is  required  to  carry  a load  of 
100  tons  merchandize  up  an  inclination  of  17  two  ft.  per  mile. 


or 

83  tons 

tt 

u tt 

a 

tt 

OQ  _JJL  tt 
10  0 

it 

tt 

or 

78  tons 

tt 

It  tt 

a 

It 

26  t4o°o  “ 

it 

It 

or 

61  tons 

tt 

tt  tt 

tt 

tt 

30  “ 

It 

tt 

The  rapid  decrease  of  the  load  upon  the  steeper  grades, 
warns  us  of  the  propriety  of  adopting  the  very  lowest 
grades,  where  they  can  be  obtained  without  too  great  a 
sacrifice  of  other  advantages.  The  objection  to  the 
high  grades  is  not  diminished  by  stating  that  heavier  en- 
gines may  be  employed ; for  the  same  comparison  of 
loads  may  be  made  with  a heavy  engine  as  with  one 
which  will  only  take  100  tons  up  an  inclination  of  17  two 
feet  per  mile.  The  following  tables  exhibit  the  estima- 
ted cost  of  a Rail  Road  on  the  two  routes  described  in 
the  Report : 

Estimated  cost  of  the  road  on  the  line  direct  to  Wor- 
cester via  Millbury.  Distance  43  TV2o  miles  ; maximum 
grade  23  T7obo  feet  per  mile. 

Grading,  Masonry  and  Bridging,  $375,046  28 

For  the  Railway  Track,  including  Side 
Tracks  and  Depot  Tracks,  47  miles 
at  $8,200,  385,400  00 

Land  Damages,  55,000  00 

Depot  Buildings*  Engine  House  and  Shop,  45,000  00 

Locomotive  Engines  and  Cars,  87,000  00 

Engineering  and  Contingencies,  52,553  72 


Total,  $1,000,000  00 


31 


Estimated  cost  of  the  road  on  the  line  to  the  Grafton 
Depot.  Distance  38  miles  of  new  road,  44  to 
Worcester ; maximum  grade  on  new  road  26  TA  per 
mile,  and  30  feet  per  mile  on  the  Worcester  road. 

Grading,  Masonry  and  Bridging,  $334,895  40 

For  the  Railway  Track,  including  Side 
Tracks  and  Depot  Tracks,  41  miles 
at  $8,200,  336,200  00 

Land  Damages,  49,000  00 

Depot  Buildings,  Engine  House  and  Shop,  42,000  00 
Locomotive  Engines  and  Cars,  87,000  00 

Engineering  and  Contingencies,  50,904  60 

Total,  $900,000  00 
T.  WILLIS  PRATT,  Engineer. 


